Victorian Goldfields Pyrite-Rich Quartz Specimen – Sulfide Showpiece with Quartz Crystals: Specimen 7

Notable Features

This 1.979 kg pyrite-rich specimen measures 6 × 4 × 4.5 in (Width × Length × Height). It is absolutely saturated with sulfides, dominated by pyrite, making it more of a pyrite showpiece than a typical quartz crystal cluster. Small white, black, and champagne quartz crystals are scattered across the specimen, adding texture and sparkle. The host rock is peppered with fine black specks, and a small cavity reveals a delicate pocket of white and champagne quartz crystals.

Sulfidation Level

Very High Sulfidation – This specimen is heavily enriched with pyrite. Minor chalcopyrite and tetrahedrite are also likely present, adding to the sulfide diversity. The sulfide saturation makes this specimen glitter under light and distinguishes it from lower-sulfidation quartz pieces.

See how we rate sulfidation levels by visiting our FAQ section.

Mineral Assemblage

• Quartz – small crystals in white, black, and champagne

• Pyrite – dominant, covering much of the specimen

• Chalcopyrite – subtle golden-brassy inclusions

• Tetrahedrite – possible dark inclusions in quartz and host rock

• Iron oxides – localized staining

• Trace potential: arsenopyrite, stibnite, gold, silver, antimony

Note: Not every specimen contains the full mineral assemblage above. Minerals may appear in varying amounts, and each specimen may only feature a subset. Each piece is unique and chosen for its visual appeal and geological character.

Geological Story

This specimen formed during the Silurian Period (~440–420 million years ago), when tectonic forces fractured submarine fan sediments in the Victorian Goldfields. Silica- and sulfur-rich hydrothermal fluids surged through these fractures, depositing quartz and unusually abundant sulfides.

In this case, quartz formed as small white, black, and champagne crystals, but the true highlight is the overwhelming pyrite saturation, which turned the rock into a sulfide-dominant showpiece. A small cavity preserves a pocket of delicate quartz crystals, while the host rock itself contains fine black specks, likely representing mineral inclusions deposited during fluid flow.

The district was historically mined for gold, silver, and antimony. Most of the gold and silver is refractory, locked within sulfides like pyrite, though rare free gold specimens have been reported.

This specimen is not sold as “gold ore.” It is a collector’s specimen, valued for its exceptional sulfide saturation and pyrite richness, complemented by small quartz crystals and a cavity display — a dramatic piece of the Victorian Goldfields.